The priority for the newly elected president of All India Rubber Industries Association (AIRIA), Dr Sawar Dhanania, is to create an ecosystem in the Indian rubber sector with the help of all stakeholders, especially small ones, for sustainable growth. "I find the rubber ecosystem is not in place, and every sector that has to go forward or meet the challenges has to have an ecosystem. All the links should be in place to take the MSME sector forward along with big players in the industry," said Dr Dhanania.

"We have identified the issue and are working on it. To have the ecosystem, we require the participation of all stakeholders in the sector to make it stronger," added Dr Dhanania.

Due to the erratic supply chain, buyers are losing price negotiation powers, especially MSMEs. Meanwhile, soaring prices of raw materials are adding fuel to the challenges. According to Dr Dhanania, the MSME sector requires special-purpose rubbers, such as EPDM, Nitrile, Neoprene, SBR and others to make the goods. However, suppliers from other countries are dictating the terms due to the current situation. "Currently, manufacturers in the MSME sector are facing challenges as they cannot increase the prices of finished goods even though the demand is picking up, and they have to buy raw materials at soaring prices," explained Dr Dhanania.

Coupled with skyrocketing raw material prices, the lack of testing facilities for raw materials and finished rubber goods for the MSME players is another primary concern, as per Dr Dhanania. "Due to growing exports and quality requirements in the local market, we too are getting quality conscious. We need testing facilities at the door level according to the standards," said Dr Dhanania.

In May, the AIRIA will approach the government to avail special-purpose rubber and other raw material at fair prices through imports to meet domestic demand being infused by the growing infrastructure development and export demand. 

The association will also urge the government to make FTAs more favourable to the domestic industry and boost local supplies of speciality rubber to lessen dependency on imports. "To tap the opportunities in new markets, we will motivate our rubber goods manufacturers to export goods. We will focus on exploring the new market for our members. Currently, we are collecting and analysing the data for MSMEs. We will provide data to the manufacturers about the export details for the countries where they can possibly supply their rubber goods," expressed Dr Dhanania.

The Arab and European countries are currently the largest export market for the Indian rubber goods companies. Rubber sheeting, cycle tyre & tubes, footwear and moulded products are among India's largest export rubber goods. However, India contributes merely one percent of the total global rubber export, which stands at around USD 200 billion. 

The association also seeks stimulus packages for the rubber industry. "With the technological changes, we want to upgrade our processing technology and add some new machines. But since we are facing so many problems like increasing raw material prices and inverted duties, we don't have a surplus in our hands to invest in the machines," said Dr Dhanania.

The AIRIA will also enhance its activities to hone workers' skills in the MSME sector. According to the new president, the association did face some challenges in providing training in the rubber sector in the past, but it will soon launch training and educational courses for academia and industry. "Even for the people working in the rubber industry for a long time, we will launch reskilled training programmes. We will be discussing with RCPSDC how the technical expertise will provide the practical training to the industry people as lots of machines are required for such training," added Dr Dhanania. 

The AIRIA will soon introduce an e-portal where the association members can market their products digitally. "With this portal, job seekers can also get connected to companies," said Dr Dhanania.

Dr Dhanania sees the greater demand will come from the automotive sector. He averred, "The auto companies are not running at the full capacities due to shortage of semiconductors, but for the long term, the demand will pick up, and the government too is spending on building infrastructure. Electric vehicles will generate demand for new types of high-performance rubbers." 

The size of the Indian rubber industry is about INR 1 trillion, out of which INR 700 billion is contributed by the tyre segment and the rest by rubber goods manufacturers. The MSME units in the rubber sector employ about 400,000 people. 

In India, there is a deficit of over 400,000 tonnes of natural rubber, which is being met by imports. However, the government has been serious to narrow the gap between demand and supply. 

Recently, four major tyre companies, part of the Automotive Tyre Manufacturers Association (ATMA), have decided to contribute INR 10 billion for rubber plantation development on 200,000 hectares of land in the North East states of India, over five years.

The AIRIA has postponed the India Rubber Expo (IRE) due to Covid outrage. According to Dr Dhanania, the IRE is likely to be held in 2024 . "As the situation (Covid-19) is improving, we are planning to hold the IRE in 2024. Meanwhile, we will have industry outreach programmes every month in different states, and we may unfold the programme in April," concluded Dr Dhanania.

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Pirelli is all set for the winter season with its winter tyre range that is renewed over the past two years. The newly launched Scorpion Winter 3 joins the P Zero Winter 2 for high-performance cars and the Cinturato Winter 3 for saloons and crossovers. The range is available with Pirelli Elect technology for electric vehicles. Independent tests by European organisations have placed Pirelli winter tyres at the front in safety-related areas, while the Cinturato All Season SF3 has recorded four victories and six additional podium finishes.

Winter tyres or suitable equipment are required from 15 November to 15 April. Most winter driving occurs on dry and wet roads. Below 7°C, winter compounds offer more grip than summer compounds, and the tread pattern helps counter aquaplaning and generate traction on snow. Sidewall markings indicate capability: M+S identifies a product for challenging surfaces, while 3PMSF certifies testing in harsh conditions. An appropriate winter driving style includes increased safety distance, avoiding sudden acceleration and reducing brake use in favour of engine braking.

The Cinturato Winter 3 took first place in the 2026 ADAC winter tyre test in size 225/50 R17 against 16 models, earning a highly recommended rating with the best wet score and the highest assessment for driving safety. It won the AvD test in size 225/45 R17 against 15 tyres with a very good rating. It also finished first in the Auto Bild comparison in size 205/55 R16 on a Volkswagen Golf against 14 tyres with an exemplary rating. Podium finishes followed in tests by Auto Express, Auto Bild Allrad and Tyre Reviews, giving six podium finishes in seven tests, including three victories.

The Scorpion Winter 3 debuted with a victory in the alVolante comparison in size 235/60 R18 on an Alfa Romeo Stelvio, ranking first among six winter tyres. Its wet performance, shortest braking distance, fastest lap time and progressive reactions set it apart. It was judged consistent and predictable on snow and balanced on dry roads.

In the annual Auto Bild super comparative test, the P Zero Winter 2 finished on the podium with an exemplary rating, thanks to precise driving behaviour in wet and dry conditions and braking performance on both surfaces. The Cinturato Winter 3, Scorpion Winter 3 and P Zero Winter 2 are available with Pirelli Elect technology on dedicated fitments for Europe's electric vehicle fleet. Elect addresses low rolling resistance for range, acoustic comfort, longer tyre life, grip for immediate torque and a reinforced structure for battery weight.

All-season tyres suit drivers mainly in urban areas covering up to 20,000 km per year without frequent heavy snowfall. Higher mileage, regular mountain travel or high-performance cars generally call for winter tyres. The Cinturato All Season SF3 carries the 3PMSF marking and has four victories in comparisons by Auto Zeitung, Reifentester, Auto Express and Que Choisir, plus six additional podium finishes. The new Scorpion All Season SF3 extends the approach to SUVs.

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Nokian Tyres will withdraw its sponsorship of the 2027 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship should Russia be permitted to compete, the company has confirmed. The decision follows a Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruling that cleared Russian national teams to return to international ice hockey. Nokian Tyres stated that continuing the sponsorship under such circumstances would conflict with its values. Tiina Frazer, SVP of Brand, Marketing and Communications, explained that while the 2026 tournament cooperation proved highly successful, the company felt compelled to act on its principles regarding Russian participation.

The tyre manufacturer had been named an Official Sponsor for both the 2026 and 2027 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championships in late 2025. Its 2026 involvement included the ‘Carve the Corners’ contest, running from 6 February to 20 March, which offered fans in the United States and Canada a chance to win a trip to the tournament. The 2026 event, held from 15 to 31 May, featured 64 games with 16 top national teams competing for the title and stands as the world’s largest annual winter sports event.

Frazer said, “Our sponsorship agreement with the IIHF covers the 2026 and 2027 World Championships, and our cooperation around the 2026 tournament was very successful. However, under the current circumstances, continuing the sponsorship if Russia participates would not be aligned with our values. We have therefore decided to end our sponsorship of the 2027 World Championship should Russia be allowed to take part.”

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Sri Trang Agro-Industry Public Company Limited (STA), the world's largest fully integrated natural rubber company, has been honoured at the Intelligent Industry Awards 2026, an accolade bestowed by the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA). The award was formally received on 30 October 2026 at Bangkok's S31 Sukhumvit Hotel by Executive Director Vitchaphol Sincharoenkul, accompanied by Akarat Mattayangkul, Factory Manager of the Huai Nang Branch, and Poowanart Laoprasert, Factory Manager of the Loei Branch.

Three of the company's production sites earned recognition under the award. The Loei and Huai Nang branches in Trang Province were cited for their technically specified rubber (TSR) operations, while the Kanchanadit Branch in Surat Thani Province was acknowledged for latex production. Evaluators placed weight on technology deployments that yield demonstrable outcomes, alongside sustained organisational development spanning operational processes, personnel, energy and sustainability.

Research and development form a central pillar of STA's strategy, merging its natural rubber know-how with digital tools and artificial intelligence. Among its flagship efforts is the Sri Trang AI Machine (SAM), which harnesses AI to bolster analysis and decision-making in production. The company also runs an ‘AI Clinic’ that invites staff from every department to pitch ideas, exchange experiences and obtain expert advice on embedding AI in routine tasks, thereby streamlining workflows, aiding decisions and lifting operational efficiency while nurturing a culture of technological learning.

The accolade underscores STA's drive towards Industry 4.0 through digital adoption, automation, innovation, workforce development and prudent resource management. It represents a further milestone in Sri Trang Group's evolution, reinforcing its emphasis on technology, people and resource efficiency as it continues to champion the sustainable development of Thailand's rubber sector.

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Professor James Busfield of Queen Mary University of London has been awarded the prestigious IRCO Medal by the International Rubber Conference Organisation (IRCO) in recognition of his longstanding contribution to international rubber conferences. The honour was presented by IRCO Executive Chairman Michael Clayton at IRC 2026 in Aichi, Japan, immediately before Busfield delivered his plenary lecture. The IRCO Committee unanimously approved the award at its meeting in Bangkok on 2 December 2025.

His involvement with the organisation spans more than a decade, having represented the United Kingdom on the IRCO Committee since 2013. He chaired and organised IRC 2019 in London, attracting 550 delegates, and led the organisation of RubberCon events in Manchester in 2014 and Edinburgh in 2023, the latter welcoming over 310 participants from 26 countries. A frequent plenary and keynote speaker, he also regularly involves postgraduate students in these international gatherings, providing opportunities to showcase their research and build professional connections.

Left to right: Michael Clayton, Executive Chairman of IRCO; Professor James Busfield, Queen Mary University of London; and Professor Mikihito Takenaka, Congress Chair of IRC2026 AICHI and Professor at the Institute for Chemical Research, Kyoto University.

Beyond his international conference work, Busfield has headed the Elastomer Group at the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3) since 1995. Under his leadership, the group has delivered more than 100 meetings and conferences for the rubber sector while introducing hybrid events to expand global accessibility. At Queen Mary, he serves as Professor of Materials, National Teaching Fellow, Deputy Head of School and Head of the UK's largest soft matter research group. His career began in automotive suspension engineering before he completed his doctorate under Professor Alan Thomas.

Busfield's research encompasses rubber friction, fatigue, fracture, recycling and smart materials, supported by more than 190 peer-reviewed publications and industrial collaborations with Bridgestone, Continental, Aston Martin F1 and Schlumberger. Elected a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering in 2020, he has also received the Colwyn Medal (2009), the American Chemical Society Rubber Division's George Stafford Whitby Award (2021) and the IOM3 T B Marsden Medal (2024).

Michael Clayton, Executive Chairman of IRCO, said, “James never travels alone. At every conference he brings his students, and gives them the chance to present, to meet people and to begin their careers in our industry. He is incredibly generous with his time, and one of our industry's most engaging speakers. Professor Busfield is an incredibly worthy recipient of the IRCO Medal.”

Professor James Busfield said, “It is a great honour to receive the IRCO Medal. IRCO has coordinated the International Rubber Conference and RubberCon events for about 60 years, and I have been fortunate to have been a part of that community for about half of that time. I enjoy greatly participating in these conferences and value the opportunity to meet the global rubber experts, discuss with them new innovations and together help to move the discipline and our industry forward. My thanks are extended to all of those from the global rubber community who have worked to make our IRCO events so successful.”

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